More than $1 million set aside for area beach nourishment

Published: Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 12:15 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 12:15 p.m.

The Army Corps of Engineers received more than a million dollars of federal money for beach nourishment projects on Carolina Beach and Kure Beach, additional funding designated to help coastal communities recover from damage sustained during Hurricane Sandy.

That funding, announced last week, is separate from the roughly $500,000 given to the corps earlier this month for maintenance dredging in two local inlets.

The money – a total of $1.5 million – is additional funding for a $9.3 million renourishment project currently underway on Pleasure Island, and is expected to be used within the next two months.

U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre, who helped secure the money, said the timing is particularly fortuitous, as it will allow additional sand to be pumped onto the beaches before tourists begin flocking to the coast.

"This is an absolute top priority for our office," said McIntyre, a Democrat from Lumberton. "Our coast is both an economic engine and an environmental treasure, and this money makes a difference in both regards."

The additional funding is also separate from the corps' projected budget for the next fiscal year, released late last week. The spending plan totals $67.3 million for projects throughout the Wilmington District, including $51 million for operation and maintenance projects on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the Cape Fear River and Masonboro Inlet, among others.

That's an increase of $7 million over the current year's budget, according to records.

The budget, drafted by the president, is the first spending proposal and must be approved by Congress before taking effect. Officials said there's no projected timeline for that process.

<p>The Army Corps of Engineers received more than a million dollars of federal money for beach nourishment projects on Carolina Beach and Kure Beach, additional funding designated to help coastal communities recover from damage sustained during <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/hurricane"><b>Hurricane</b></a> Sandy.</p><p>That funding, announced last week, is separate from the roughly $500,000 given to the corps earlier this month for maintenance dredging in two local inlets.</p><p>The money – a total of $1.5 million – is additional funding for a $9.3 million renourishment project currently underway on Pleasure Island, and is expected to be used within the next two months. </p><p>U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre, who helped secure the money, said the timing is particularly fortuitous, as it will allow additional sand to be pumped onto the beaches before tourists begin flocking to the coast.</p><p>"This is an absolute top priority for our office," said McIntyre, a Democrat from Lumberton. "Our coast is both an economic engine and an environmental treasure, and this money makes a difference in both regards."</p><p>The additional funding is also separate from the corps' projected budget for the next fiscal year, released late last week. The spending plan totals $67.3 million for projects throughout the Wilmington District, including $51 million for operation and maintenance projects on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, the <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic91"><b>Cape Fear River</b></a> and Masonboro Inlet, among others. </p><p>That's an increase of $7 million over the current year's budget, according to records.</p><p>The budget, drafted by the president, is the first spending proposal and must be approved by Congress before taking effect. Officials said there's no projected timeline for that process.</p><p><i></p><p>Kate Elizabeth Queram: 343-2217</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @kate_goes_bleu</i></p>